An Unwanted Export

July 27, 1989

Some unknown Washington, D.C., police officers - unknown because no one would claim credit - came up with a way to clear prostitutes out of the District this week. But the plan didn't go over well with Virginia officials, since Virginia is where the officers ordered the prostitutes to take their business.

In a move that surely would have drawn more attention had it not occurred at 2 a.m., District police officers rounded up a couple dozen prostitutes and, without arresting them, forced them to walk down 14th Street and across the Virginia line.

Two photographers for The Washington Post happened on the bizarre scene of police leading the line of women out of the District and proceeded to take pictures. Dismayed police then drove off.

Reporters who followed up on the story found that none of the officials of the three police districts that intersect at the 14th Street area frequented by prostitutes wanted to own up to masterminding the march.

But from the perspective of some Virginia officials, the District was simply continuing what has become a pattern. Said 8th District Rep. Stan Parris, "This is the fourth commodity the District exports to Virginia. We get all the sludge, all the garbage, most of the prisoners and now their prostitutes."

But the newest export was short-lived: Within half an hour of the roundup, the prostitutes were back in business on 14th Street - in the District.